Cantor Sheri Blum

Music plays a central role in both the religious and community life of Congregation B’nai Israel.

For Cantor Sheri Blum, music has an important spiritual quality. “Music is very powerful. When we hear the special melodies of each holiday, it makes us feel that the holiday is here. It inspires us. Music is an integral part of our worship services.”

Cantor Blum makes sure music plays an integral part throughout the congregation’s activities. Since arriving at B’nai Israel in the summer of 1994, she has prepared more than 1,100 B’nai Mitzvah students. She heads a dynamic music program that includes our Junior Choir, Adult Choir and the B’nai Israel Band. She also teaches weekly in our preschool and conducts the Chanukah Music Festival each year for our Gan-Kitah Gimel (K-3) students.

“One year we cut a CD of Jewish rock music with the Junior Choir, and it reached the first level of Grammy nominations! The New York Times even did an article on us!”

Cantor Blum was ordained from the Hebrew Union College-School of Sacred Music in 1982. She served as Student Cantor for four years at the Union Reform Temple in Freeport, Long Island, N.Y., and after her ordination, she became the full-time Cantor at Temple Emanuel in Worcester, Mass., where she served 12 years.

In 2007, Cantor Blum received an Honorary Doctorate from the Hebrew Union College for her 25 years of outstanding service to the Reform Movement.

To learn more about our choirs and band, please visit our Choirs and Band page.